Arklow An t-Inbhear Mór
Maoin na mara ár muinighin Our hope lies in the riches of the sea
Location
WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 52°47′39″N 6°09′54″W / 52.7941, -6.1649
Irish grid reference T240735
Statistics
Province:	Leinster
County:	County Wicklow
Elevation:	Sea level
Population (2006)  - Town:  - Environs:	11,712  47
Website: www.arklow.ie

Arklow (Irish: An t-Inbhear Mór, meaning Great Estuary) is a historic town located in County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. Founded by the Vikings in the ninth century, Arklow was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the 1798 rebellion. It is now a thriving commuter town with a population of 11,759 at the 2006 census, making it is the third largest town in the county.^[1] Bullet for locations in Ireland, displays location and not area. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... GPS redirects here. ... The Irish national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Ireland. ... When under Gaelic rule, Ireland was divided into provinces to replace the earlier system of the túatha. ... Statistics Area: 19,774. ... For much of its history, the island of Ireland was divided into 32 counties (Irish language contae or condae, pronounced IPA: ). Two historical counties, County Desmond and County Coleraine, no longer exist, while several county names have changed. ... Statistics Province: Leinster County Town: Wicklow Code: WW Area: 2,024 km² Population (2007) 114,676 Website: www. ... Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of the Earths surface is covered with water. ... Statistics Province: Leinster County Town: Wicklow Code: WW Area: 2,024 km² Population (2007) 114,676 Website: www. ... The name Viking is a loan from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse seafaring warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, Europe and the British Isles from the late 8th century to the 11th century, the period of European history referred to as the Viking Age. ... The Battle of Arklow took place during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 on June 9th when a rebel force from Wexford, estimated at 10,000 strong, launched an assault into County Wicklow, on the British-held town of Arklow, in an attempt to spread the rebellion into Wicklow and to... Combatants United Irishmen French First Republic Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Commanders Local leaders, General Humbert Cornwallis Lake Strength  ? Various, at peak mid-June c. ...

Arklow is situated at the mouth of the River Avoca, the longest river entirely within County Wicklow. The town is divided by the river, which is crossed by the Nineteen Arches bridge, a stone arch bridge linking the south or main part of the town with the north part, called Ferrybank. The Avoca, or historically Ovoca, is a river in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland. ... Statistics Province: Leinster County Town: Wicklow Code: WW Area: 2,024 km² Population (2007) 114,676 Website: www. ...

History

Avoca estuary and the Nineteen Arches bridge.

The town's English name derives from Arknell's Low (Arknell was a Viking leader; a low was an area of land). Its Irish name means the large estuary. Historically it was a major seafaring town, with both the shipping and fishing industries using the port, with shipbuilding also being a major industry. The town has a long history of industry, in particular the chemical industry.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (3888 × 2592 pixel, file size: 3. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (3888 × 2592 pixel, file size: 3. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

After the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, their leader Theobald Walter, ancestor of the Earls of Ormonde, was granted the town and castle of Arklow by King Henry II. In 1264 the Dominicans were granted a large tract of land, which is now known as Abbeylands, and they built an abbey, which became known as the Priory of the True Cross or Holy Cross. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... For the titles in the Peerage of Scotland see: Earl of Ormonde (Scottish) The peerage titles Earl, Marquess and Duke of Ormonde have a long and complex history. ... Henry II of England (called Curtmantle; 25 March 1133 – 6 July 1189) ruled as King of England (1154–1189), Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. ... Holy Cross Abbey is a monastery of the Catholic Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO), popularly known as the Trappists near Berryville, Virginia. ...

Some time after 1416, the Manor of Arklow came into the control of the MacMurrough Kings of Leinster, possibly after the death of the 4th Earl of Ormonde in 1452. In 1525, Muiris Kavanagh (McMurrough, King of Leinster 1522-31) returned the manor and castle of Arklow and its lands to his nephew Piers Butler, the Earl of Ormonde. A townland in the parish of New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland. ... Statistics Area: 19,774. ... The peerage titles Earl, Marquess and Duke of Ormonde have a long and complex history. ... Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormonde (c. ...

During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in September 1649, Oliver Cromwell arrived at Arklow on his way to Wexford and took the surrender of the town. In 1714 James, Duke of Ormonde, sold the Manor of Arklow to John Allen of Stillorgan, County Dublin. In 1750 Allen’s eldest granddaughter Elizabeth Allen married John Proby who was raised to the peerage in 1752 as Baron Carysfort of County Wicklow, and came into possession of the Arklow Estate. The Wars of the Three Kingdoms were an intertwined series of conflicts that took place in Scotland, Ireland, and England between 1639 and 1651 at a time when these countries had come under the Personal Rule of the same monarch. ... Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English military and political leader best known for his involvement in making England into a republican Commonwealth and for his later role as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... The peerage title Earl of Ormonde has a long and complex history. ... The title of Earl of Carysfort was created in the Peerage Ireland in 1789 for the 2nd Baron Carysfort. ...

Arklow today

Modern Ferrybank.

The town of Arklow has expanded rapidly in the last decade. There has been a growth in retail in the town and a new shopping centre, the Bridgewater Centre,^[2] opened on 4 October, 2007 on Ferrybank, which contains Dunnes Stores, CGC Cinemas, New Look, TK Maxx, and Next amongst the main tenants. A new roundabout has been constructed at Ferrybank to allow access to Bridgewater, although congestion remains a severe problem in the town as there are just two access points from the N11, and one access point across the River Avoca. is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The artwork of the famous Irish artist Nuala Holloway, can be currently seen in the town at the recently established Riverview Bistro. Nuala Holloway is a model, actress, Miss Ireland, artist and academic. ...

Transport and communications

Arklow's proximity to Dublin and its consequent attractiveness to commuters have led to much recent expansion. The town is situated near the N11 route from Rosslare to Dublin, as well as having rail connections provided by Iarnród Éireann along the same route, including commuter services in and out of the capital. Arklow railway station opened on 16 November 1863.^[3] For other uses, see Dublin (disambiguation). ... The N11 is a National Primary Route in Ireland, running along the east side of Ireland from Dublin to Wexford. ... A directional road sign in the Republic of Ireland on an other road (not a national road) at Portlaoise, County Laois, including patches for national roads and advance warning of bridge height restrictions. ... The name Rosslare may mean: the village of Rosslare Strand in County Wexford, Ireland the village of Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford, Ireland the Rosslare Europort at Rosslare Harbour This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Rail services in Ireland are provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland. ... Current Iarnród Eireann (Irish Rail) intercity rail network An IÉ commuter train at Tara Street Station, Dublin, 2006 IÉ no. ... The Dublin-Rosslare railway line is a main rail route between Dublin Connolly station and Rosslare Europort, where it connects with ferry services to the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. ... Arklow railway station Serves the town of Arklow in County Wicklow Category: ... is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Industry

Quarrying at Arklow Rock.

In 1884. Charles Stewart Parnell rented Big Rock townland from his cousin William Proby, Earl of Carysfort, and commenced quarrying. Parnell was also a supporter of the Arklow harbour scheme. The Parnell quarries closed in the 1920s. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 381 pixelsFull resolution (3888 × 1850 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 381 pixelsFull resolution (3888 × 1850 pixel, file size: 2. ... Charles Stewart Parnell, the uncrowned King of Ireland Charles Stewart Parnell[1] (27 June 1846 – 6 October 1891) was an Irish political leader and one of the most important figures in 19th century Ireland and the United Kingdom; William Ewart Gladstone described him as the most remarkable person he had... The title of Earl of Carysfort was created in the Peerage Ireland in 1789 for the 2nd Baron Carysfort. ...

In the early part of the 20th century, a large munitions factory, Kynoch, was established on the north side of the town. This factory employed several thousand workers during the First World War but closed shortly after it, all production being moved to South Africa. 17 workers were killed in an explosion at Kynoch in 1917. The town is also famous for its pottery (which eventually closed after first being taken over by Noritake) and for its shipbuilding industry. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... Kynoch was a manufacturer of ammunition, later incorporated into ICI but remaining as a brand name for sporting cartridges. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Noritake Co. ...

In the 1960s, a state-owned fertiliser factory, Nitrogen Éireann Teoranta, later Irish Fertiliser Industries, was established on the outskirts of the town. This factory complex comprised a number of chemical plants and manufactured a range of fertilisers from basic raw materials. It was one of the first major chemical plants in Ireland and contributed to the present-day success of the Irish chemical industry.^{[citation needed]} It closed in 2002. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

There is still a good industry base in Arklow, with Servier and Allergan still remaining, just two of the biggest manufacturers in Arklow.^[4][5] Allergan confirmed on the 30 January 2008 that they will move their production to Costa Rica. This will take place over the next two years.^[5] Servier Laboratories is a privately owned French pharmaceutical company that specialises in medication for cardiological and rheumatological conditions, as well as for diabetes and depression. ... Categories: Possible copyright violations ... is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ...

Shipping and shipbuilding

Arklow port.

The national sail training vessel Asgard II, and Gypsy Moth III, the yacht that Francis Chichester sailed on the first solo transatlantic yacht race in 1960, were built in Arklow.^{[citation needed]} Recent times have seen large reductions in cargo and fishing, and the shipyards have closed. However the town retains its significance to shipping in Ireland as the headquarters of Arklow Shipping, which maintains a fleet of 37 cargo ships. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (3888 × 2592 pixel, file size: 3. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (3888 × 2592 pixel, file size: 3. ... The Asgard II is the Irish national sail training ship. ... Sir Francis Chichester (September 17, 1901 – August 26, 1972), aviator and sailor, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for becoming the first person to sail single-handed around the world by the clipper route, and the fastest circumnavigator, in nine months and one day overall. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Environmental issues

The River Avoca is generally held to be one of the most polluted rivers in Europe as a result of the long history of industry in the area, both from early mining operations, and more recent chemical industries. In previous centuries, Arklow was renowned for oyster beds, however, these were destroyed over a century ago by pollutants from mining operations flowing down the river into the estuary. For other uses, see Oyster (disambiguation). ...

A few kilometers into the Irish Sea is to be the site of the world's largest offshore wind farm known as the Arklow Bank Wind Park, currently made up of a test of seven GE 3.6 MW machines, with 106m turbines. A further 193 turbines are planned by the operating company, Airtricity. Relief map of the Irish Sea. ... Irelands first offshore wind project, the Arklow Bank Wind Park in the Irish Sea, is now in operation. ... Ge may refer to: Gê, a group of indigenous Brazilian tribes and their Ge languages Ge (Cyrillic) (Г, г), a letter of the Cyrillic alphabet Ge with upturn (Ґ, ґ), a letter of the Ukrainian alphabet Nikolai Ge, a Russian painter Gē, an ancient Chinese dagger-axe Ge (genus), a genus of butterflies Also... Airtricity is a wind farm operator in Ireland. ...

Proposed sewage treatment plant

Raw effluent from the entire town still travels through the drainage system built in the 1930s, and spews out into the River Avoca untreated via several sewage outfall pipes along the river between the bypass bridge and the Nineteen Arches bridge, on both sides of the river. The proposed sewage treatment plant was first awarded planning permission in 1993.^[6] This was challenged unsuccessfully to An Bord Pleanála, however subsequently no funding arrived from government,^[7] and the planning permission was allowed to lapse. A further ten year planning permission was granted in 1999.^[8] Since then it too has been challenged unsuccessfully to An Bord Pleanála.^[9] The current situation is that yet another legal challenge has been mounted by the objectors to the plant. Meanwhile raw human effluence continues to flow untreated into the River Avoca. The Arklow Sea Scout group has started an online petition in favour of the proposed plant.^[10] In the context of creating Plutonium at the Hanford Site, effluent refers to the cooling water that is discharged from a nuclear reactor that may or may not be radioactive. ... ...

Sports

Arklow has many sporting clubs, associations, and facilities, including:

• Arklow Sea Scouts.^[11]
• Arklow Golf Links.
• Arklow Rowing Club.^[12]
• Arklow Rugby Club.^[13]
• Arklow Sailing Club.^[14]
• Arklow Town Football Club.^[15]
• A public swimming pool, operated by Coral Leisure.
• Arklow Lawn Tennis Club.
• Arklow Rock Parnells Hurling Club.^[16]

This article is about the sport. ... A coxless pair which is a sweep-oar boat. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... For either of the songs named Sailing, see Sailing (song). ... Soccer redirects here. ... For the 2003 film, see Swimming Pool (film). ... For other uses, see Tennis (disambiguation). ... For the Cornish sport, see Cornish Hurling. ...

Music

To many foreign music fans, Arklow is most known as the title setting for Van Morrison's 1974 song "Streets of Arklow". George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since the late 1950s. ...

It is also the home town of pop group Moloko's lead singer Róisín Murphy. Moloko is an electronic/pop group from Sheffield, England, consisting of Róisín Murphy and Mark Brydon. ... Róisín Marie Murphy (pronounced ; born 5 July 1973) is an Irish electronica singer, songwriter, and producer. ...

See also

• List of towns in Ireland.
• List of RNLI stations.
• Arklow railway station.
• Arklow Bank Wind Park.

This is a link page for cities and towns in the Republic of Ireland, including larger villages, and villages and townlands of note, as well as towns, townships or urban centres in Dublin. ... List of Royal National Lifeboat Institution stations by county. ... Arklow railway station Serves the town of Arklow in County Wicklow Category: ... Irelands first offshore wind project, the Arklow Bank Wind Park in the Irish Sea, is now in operation. ...

References

The Central Statistics Office is the statistical agency responsible for Irelands census and other state data collection activities. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Official website
• Arklow at Wicklow County Tourism

v • d • e Places in County Wicklow, Ireland
County town: Wicklow
Towns	Arklow | Bray | Greystones | Wicklow Statistics Province: Leinster County Town: Wicklow Code: WW Area: 2,024 km² Population (2007) 114,676 Website: www. ... Anthem The Soldiers Song Republic of Ireland() – on the European continent() – in the European Union() Capital (and largest city) Dublin Official languages Irish, English Demonym Irish Government Republic and Parliamentary Democracy  -  President Mary McAleese  -  Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, TD Independence from the United Kingdom   -  Declared 24 April 1916   -  Ratified 21... A county town is the capital of a county in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 52. ... Ronda, Spain Main street in Bastrop, Texas, United States, a small town A town is a community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Irish Grid Reference O297122 Statistics Province: Leinster County: Elevation: 50 m Population (2002)  - Town:  - Rural:   10,303  1,610 Greystones (Irish: ) is a coastal town in County Wicklow, Ireland. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 52. ...
Villages	Aghavannagh | Annamoe | Ashford | Aughrim | Avoca | Ballinaclash | Ballycoogue | Baltinglass | Blessington | Carnew | Charlesland | Coolboy | Delgany | Donard | Dunlavin | Enniskerry | Glendalough | Glenealy | Grangecon | Greenan | Hollywood | Kilcoole | Killincarrig | Kilmacanogue | Kilpedder | Kiltegan | Knockananna | Laragh | Manor Kilbride | Newcastle | Newtownmountkennedy | Poulaphouca | Rathdrum | Rathnew | Redcross | Roundwood | Shillelagh | Stratford-on-Slaney | Tinahely | Valleymount | Woodenbridge Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Masouleh village, Gilan Province, Iran. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 53. ... This article, image, template or category should belong in one or more categories. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Irish Grid Reference T123797 Statistics Province: Leinster County: Elevation: 100 m (331 ft) Population (2006) 1145  Aughrim (Eachroim, or Horse ridge” in Irish) is a small village in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Irish Grid Reference T201801 Statistics Province: Leinster County: Elevation: 35 m (115 ft) Population (2002) 564  A pub in Avoca For the mountain glen in Ireland, see Vale of Avoca Avoca is a small town near Arklow, in County Wicklow, Ireland. ... Ballinaclash, County Wicklow Ballinaclash is a village in east County Wicklow centered on a bridge that carries the R753 regional road across the Avonbeg River. ... Baltinglass is a village in County Wicklow in the Republic of Ireland. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Irish Grid Reference N976142 Statistics Province: Leinster County: Elevation: 223 m Population (2002)  - Town:  - Rural:   2,184  325 Blessington (Irish: ) is a town in County Wicklow, Ireland. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 52. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Delgany is a small picturesque village nestled between Greystones and The Glen of the Downs. ... Donard is a small village in County Wicklow, Ireland located at the northern end of the Glen of Imaal, in the western part of the Wicklow Mountains. ... Dunlavin is a village in County Wicklow List of towns in the Republic of Ireland List of Irish Towns with a Market House Categories: | ... Enniskerry town centre Enniskerry (Áth na Scairbhe in Irish) is a picturesque small town in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland, with a population of approximately 1,800, although this measurement is subject to difficulties, depending on to what degree the increasingly populated surrounding areas are included. ... Ancient church at Glendalough monastic site Glendalough is a village located at the site of an ancient monastery located in County Wicklow, Ireland. ... Glenealy Village Irish Grid Reference T244923 Statistics Province: Leinster County: Population (2006) 528  Glenealy is a village 8 km (5 mi) west of Wicklow Town, in County Wicklow, on the R752. ... Grange Con (Gráinseach Choinn)(Granary of the Hound) is a village of about 200 people situated between Baltinglass and Dunlavin in West Wicklow. ... The famous Hollywood Sign Hollywood is a small village in West County Wicklow on the R756, Wicklow Gap road, just off the N81 national route. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Irish Grid Reference O293080 Statistics Province: Leinster County: Elevation: 8 m (26 ft) Population (2002) 2,826  Kilcoole (Irish: , meaning Church of Comghaill) is a village in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland. ... Killincarrig Village Killincarrig approaching from Greystones on the R762 Killincarrig (Coillín na Carraige) is a suburban village between Greystones and Delgany in North County Wicklow. ... Kilmacanogue (Irish: Chill Mocheanog, Mocheanogs Church) is a small village in the northern County Wicklow, in the Republic of Ireland. ... Kilpedder is situated in County Wicklow on the N11 between Kilmacanogue and Newtownmountkennedy. ... Kiltegan (Cill Teagáin in Irish) is a village in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland close to the border with County Carlow. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 53. ... Newcastle, County Wicklow Newcastle (Irish: ) is a village situated on the R761 that runs along the East Coast of County Wicklow, Ireland from Bray to Wicklow town. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 53. ... Poulaphouca (Poll an Phúca in Irish, The Devils Hole) is a small village in County Wicklow, Ireland. ... Rathdrum; R752 crossing the Avonmore River Rathdrum Main Street Rathdrum (Irish: , meaning Ringfort of the Ridge) is a village in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland. ... Rathnew (Ráth Naoi, or The Ring Fort of Naoi in Irish) is a village of County Wicklow in the Republic of Ireland with a population of 1,441. ... Redcross Irish Grid Reference T246838 Statistics Province: Leinster County: Population (2002) The village of Redcross (Irish: ) in County Wicklow lies on the R754 regional road, about 3 km (2 mi) east of the N11 national primary route. ... Roundwood (An tochar in Irish), is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 52. ... Stratford-on-Slaney, County Wicklow Stratford-on-Slaney, also known as Stratford or Stratford-upon-Slaney, is a small village on the River Slaney in West Wicklow in Ireland. ... Tinahely is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland located south of the Wicklow Mountains. ... Woodenbridge is a small village in Co. ...
Townlands	Ballinakil | Hempstown | Kilquade | Rathdangan A townland is a small geographical unit of land used in Ireland and Scotland, and believed to be of Gaelic or Goidelic origin. ... A small townland in County Wicklow, situated off the Glenealy-Rathdrum road close to Deputys Pass. ... St Patricks Church, Kilquade Kilquade (Irish: , meaning ) is a townland, a small village and a Catholic Parish located in North County Wicklow between Kilpedder and Kilcoole about one kilometer east of Junction 12 (Kilpedder) of the N11 national primary route. ...
See also	Wicklow County Council | Wicklow Mountains | Dublin Metropolitan Area | Greater Dublin Area WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: coord}}}_N_{{{west coord}}}_W_{{{region:IE_type:city}}} {{{north coord}}}° N {{{west coord}}}° W Irish Grid Reference grid}}} {{{irish grid}}} Statistics Province: Leinster County: District: County Town: Wicklow Code: WW Area: 2,024 km² Elevation: Population (2002): 114,676 Website: www. ... The Wicklow Mountains are a range of mountains in the south-east of Ireland. ... Dublin Metropolitan Area (GDA) is a term used by various bodies to describe the area of Dublin and its surrounding counties which have an urban designation; between these bodies its definition is not always consistent. ... Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is a loosely defined term which is used to describe the city of Dublin and the counties of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Kildare, Meath, South Dublin and Wicklow of the Republic of Ireland. ...